(October 31, 2016) – Breeders Crown 2016 has come and gone and by the time the dust had settled Anne Stepien came out on top with 276.63 points for the weekend in the 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge sponsored by DRF Harness, Green Acquisition Corporation, The Hambletonian Society, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, The Raceway at Western Fair District, Red Shores Charlottetown Driving Park, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs.

Further back in second was Gordon Waterstone with 193.3 points while show honors went to Rusty Nash with 148.55 points, just edging out Sally Hinckley by 2.17 points.

The top two handicappers on Friday's (10/28) card at the Meadowlands were Dennis O'Hara and Gordon Waterstone, both with four out of the six races (Kindergarten Classic races were played both evenings as well); O'Hara earning 76.8 points with Waterstone tallying 65.8 points.

Out of the ten races on Saturday (10/29), Anne Stepien tabbed six winners, including Someonesomewhere ($36) in the Breeders Crown 2yo filly pacing final on her way to a 233.33 point tally. Waterstone also earned six winners for the card, minus a long shot which resulted in him earning 'only' 127.5 points, while Rusty Nash also had a six-pack of winners earning him 121.05 points.

With regards to the second-half award, it is still a horse race with Matt Rose (1,756.48 points) leading Jay Hochstetler (1,679.18) by 77.3 points. Sally Hinckley (1,592.08) still has the opportunity to grab the $250 bonus for her rescue as she is only 87.1 points further behind.

For the overall season championship, for all practical purposes the contest appears to be a walk-over with Hochstetler (3,468.28) being 609.75 points ahead of second place Rose (2,858.53). Starting with the place position, there is still an active contest as sitting in third is Hinckley (2,761.95), less than 100 points behind Rose. As for fourth place handicapper Waterstone (2,580.73), it will take a huge effort to get into a cashing position as he is roughly 180 points further behind.

This week's racing action begins Thursday at Dover Downs with the Matron Stakes. Action continues Friday evening with a slate of stakes races at Hoosier Park and the weekend concludes on Meadowlands with the finals of the Kindergarten Classic being contested at the Meadowlands.

Racing fans may continue getting the handicappers' selections and other contest-related information such as the complete standings from HANA Harness' contest website http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.

Allan Schott

HANA Harness Racing Coordinator